The Love I Lost and Found Again

One early Saturday morning in August David and his Dad Michael were packing their SUV for a two-week vacation before school started again. David yelled out "Dad where are you? I want to get to the lake before it is 100 degrees up there, shake a leg" David's Dad replied as he walked out of the front door locking it behind him "Hold your horses, we'll be on the way in just a minute and if you had dragged your butt out of bed when your alarm went off, but no you made me come in and drag you out of bed. I should have just used ice water like your Grandpa did on me." "Daaaaaaaadddddddddddd all right already let's get going I am sorry okay" replied a sheepish David.

Michael grinned to himself as he climbed into the front seat of the SUV and prepared to embark on what he hoped would be the vacation he and David needed. As Michael headed up the Avenue of the Fleas towards Highway 92 he thought back to the day his and David's life changed forever.

Begin Flashback:

Michael and Michelle had just left the doctors office on North San Mateo Drive, were headed home down El Camino Real when a woman talking on a cell phone ran a red light at Fourth Avenue and sideswiped the SUV there was only minor damage to the passenger side door. Michael and Michelle were slightly shaken up but other than Michelle smacking her knee against the dash there were no injuries to anyone.

After dealing with the Police and the insurance company red tape, Michael and Michelle returned to the Dr's office they had just left to get Michelle's knee X-Rayed and wrapped as a precaution. The Doctor was very surprised to see them so soon. He was shocked at the expressions on their faces, since when they had left fifteen minutes ago they were elated at the news that David would have a baby brother and that Michelle's nesting urges would be fulfilled again. The Doctor rushed over to assist them when he noticed Michelle was limping slightly. After ascertaining what had transpired he quickly called for a wheelchair and took her down to the X-Ray Lab.  The X-Ray was negative other than some minor bruising. After having her knee wrapped and getting some crutches, Michelle and Michael headed home for the second time that day.

After leaving the Dr's Office Michael and Michelle picked up David at Indian Springs High School and took him SUV shopping because with the baby coming and David's baseball gear they needed a slightly bigger vehicle. Since Michael and Michelle had already picked out a new one David was just along for his opinion since he would also be driving it. David picked the same vehicle that his parent's had picked except he wanted it Midnight Blue instead of the Maroon that Michael wanted, and since Blue was also Michelle's favourite colour David won that battle.

But since David was a smart kid he asked the salesperson if the pinstriping could be done in maroon. The salesperson said yes and David turned and looked at his dad who had a huge grin on his face. As he continued to look at his dad, he saw his dad blink and mouth "I love you" David then knew he had done the right thing.

They picked up the new SUV on the way home stopped and had dinner at Celia's in the Laurelwood Shopping Center.  David asked his dad if he could drive home. His dad responded "Well David it is your mom's turn" David turned towards his mom and gave her the biggest puppy dog eyes look he could. His mom almost fell out of the booth laughing, she grabbed the keys from her husband and tossed them to David who unthinkingly let out a loud "Yeah" and then quickly tried to duck under the table to hide his crimson face.

Michelle's knee recovered quickly and things soon got back to normal. Of course, David volunteered to drive her to her doctor's appointments even when he had school.

One Saturday morning as they were preparing to go to David's baseball game, as he was the starting pitcher, Michelle felt a slight headache coming on, and told her family, "I am going to take some ibuprofen and lie down for a few minutes. Call me when you are ready to go." She then went to lie down on her and Michael's bed. "Sure Mom. Sure Hon" the men replied as they started taking the ice chests and folding chairs out to the SUV.

A while later when everything was ready to go, David went in to get his mom. As he walked into the room he noticed she was lying there very peacefully and still, so he thought she had just fallen asleep. David called out "Mom, Mom wake up it is time to go" there was no response. David reached over and shook her shoulder as he called out again 'Mom, please wake we have to go". His mom's body never twitched a muscle David screamed "DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDD" as loud as he could. His dad came running in, took one look at his wife, and yelled out "David call 911 now! We need an ambulance.  Your mom has passed out." David grabbed the bedside phone and dialed 911 while his dad checked for breathing and a pulse. His wife was breathing but just barely, David handed him the phone and Michael just barked out answers to the dispatcher's questions. Michael was paying no attention to the dispatcher's pleas for him to calm down; he kept repeating "My wife is non-responsive! Get an ambulance here now! He then handed the phone to David and said "give her the address and the phone number, and tell her I can't talk to any more idiots. Michael then went over, sat on the bed and cradled his wife's head to his chest.

Meanwhile, at San Mateo General Hospital (Chope) an Ambulance was just returning to the barn when they received the call and told the dispatcher they would be there within ninety seconds.

David turned to his dad and said "The ambulance will be here in a minute. She wants me to go outside and meet them. She also wants me to give you the phone while I go out front; she wants you to tell her if there are any changes in mom's condition." David's dad took the phone from David as his clearly emotionally distressed son headed towards the front of the house to await the ambulance. No sooner than David had left the bedroom than Michael heard the siren's piercing wail then it abruptly cut off as the ambulance pulled up front.

Shortly there appeared an EMT in the doorway carrying an orange medical box. The EMT asked Michael a few quick questions while listening to Michelle's heart; he pulled out a penlight and checked Michelle's pupils. After checking her pupils he quickly set up the blood pressure cuff and started taking her blood pressure. As he was taking the blood pressure readings the other two EMT's arrived with a gurney. The first EMT called out a few commands and some numbers, one of the EMT's quickly grabbed the O2 bottle from the gurney with quick and sure movements, had the mask over Michelle's mouth and nose and the Oxygen running before Michael even realized what had happened.

The third EMT got Michael to follow him out to the living room and started getting Michelle's Medical History and other pertinent information. Meanwhile, the first EMT was on his radio relay Michelle's vitals to the ER Physician on the other end. The ER Physician ordered them to get her to an ER Stat. The two EMT's in the bedroom quickly had Michelle on the gurney strapped down and on the way out of the bedroom. The EMT in the living room had just found out from Michael that their Dr. had privileges at Mills Peninsula Hospital and told Michael they would take her there if her vitals stabilized. As the two EMT's and the gurney came through the living room the third EMT made sure the doorway was clear and just said "Mills, SM" the first EMT acknowledged him with a nod. The third EMT then turned towards Michael and David, who by now were standing next to each other hanging on to each other for support. The EMT informed the two that they could meet them at the ER at Mills then left for the trip to Mills.

As father and son were heading out to their SUV they heard the squealing of brakes and looked down the street towards El Camino and saw the Ambulance stopping their left turn and changing to right turn. The left turn led towards Mills Peninsula the right turn towards SM General. Michael tossed his son the keys and said "David you drive, I don't think I should" "Ok dad but I hope you don't mind if I take it a little easy I am shook up also" David responded to his dad. "David I don't care just get us there in one piece"

In the ambulance heading towards SM General, two of the EMT's were unsuccessfully trying to resuscitate Michelle as her heart had suddenly stopped and all of her vitals had flatlined. With the radio barking out instructions in the background, the EMT's were working frantically in their race against the clock. As one of the EMT's had just finished with his third unsuccessful try with the defibrillator the second was preparing a hypodermic for an Epinephrine push before the next defibrillator try. Once the Epinephrine was injected the EMT with the paddles watched his partner and at his signal applied the paddles yelled clear and pushed the buttons, Michelle's body jerked with the jolt but the readings remained unchanged. The EMT was preparing another Epinephrine push according to protocol when he glanced at the EKG Monitor and barked at the radio "Doc are you seeing what I am seeing?" The Dr at SM General replied "yes, switch to an Atropine push and defib again" The EMT's followed their instructions to the letter to no avail, the heart monitor remained flat. The radio spat out the following "Time of death 9 hours 37 minutes mark, lock all monitors, cancel Code Three, continue on Code Two" "Roger  Ten Four, Redwood Six out" responded the EMT as they headed in the now silent ambulance to SM General.

As David and his dad headed towards SM General, Michael pulled out his cell phone and called their Family Doctor. His receptionist said he was with a patient and that she would have him meet them at SM General as soon as he could.

As things worked out Michael and David arrived before the Doctor but were unable to find out anything. Michael wasn't standing still for this "Excuse me Nurse Cutter I want to see my wife or at least find out why she came here instead of Mills?"  "I am sorry Mr. Dorn I don't have any information for you other than the ER Dr. ordered the ambulance here, Dr. Kirsten called and he will be here shortly. I am sure he will be able to help."

End Flashback

After several hours of driving, Michael and David arrived at Konocti Harbor Inn in the town of Lakeport on Clear Lake. After checking in and taking their luggage to their rooms/cabin, Michael asked David "Why don't you go down to the Marina and check out what activities are available for you this week? Meanwhile, I'll go meet with the Managers and find out exactly what the timetable is. You are still planning on helping me connect the hubs and routers, so I can spend more time with you?

"Daaaaaaaad, I said I would help geeez, I want to spend at least a day with you" replied David with a cheeky grin as he ran out the door heading towards the Marina.

Michael just shook his head at his retreating son's back. 'I hope this trip can help me reach him, he has withdrawn so much since Michelle's death. I really want my happy-go-lucky son. This shell of my son hurts to be around, it is painful enough not to have my vibrant and loving wife around but not to have my son also is more than I can bear. Hopefully, up here away from the constant reminders of her, we can break through each other's walls and get some healing done. We need each other far more than David realizes' thought Michael as he headed towards his impromptu meeting with the Inn Manager. Michael had learned years ago to show up early for contract work. In most cases, if he was due on a Saturday he showed up Friday afternoon. In this case, he was due on Monday and had planned on spending the weekend with David. Michael was going ahead with this meeting to get the lay of the land so to speak. He had learned the hard way early on not to believe completely the job specs without reviewing the physical layout. There was usually something in the layout or some spec that was missed that added hours or days to the job. By showing up early and verifying everything before the work actually began he had saved himself many a headache and also found the management and staff assigned to the project far more receptive to any changes or delays that were necessary.

While Michael was heading towards his meeting, his son was meandering towards the Marina in no particular hurry. 'I wish this wasn't a working vacation for dad, I really need to talk with him about what is happening in my life. I don't know where I am going or what I want in life or even who or what I want to be. Baseball doesn't even do it for me anymore and I used to live, eat and sleep baseball. My pillow still has the imprint of my ball and glove even though I quit playing baseball this spring. And then there are the girls, they are always hanging all over me and cooing and batting their eyelashes at me whenever I walk by. But I feel nothing when they are near me, I don't feel anything when anyone is near me. I don't think I am gay cause I don't sprout wood in the locker or shower rooms. Maybe I should become a Monk, nah I can't see myself praying all day either. Since dad is getting a head start on his job maybe we'll have more time to spend together.' David woke up from his conversation with himself and found himself at the gate to The Marina. After checking out what type of services and equipment was available David decided to sign up for a Water Skiing Lesson on Sunday afternoon. He was going to sleep in on Monday and help his dad install the hubs and routers that afternoon if everything was on schedule.

David decided to check out the views from the Amphitheater since they might attend a concert next weekend. Some oldie group his dad really liked was playing there. After climbing to the top row of bleacher seats, he sat down and started watching the Water Skiers and Jet Skiers.

David was very tired from the long drive up to Clear Lake and soon was snoring happily in the warm and cozy afternoon sun with just the barest of breezes to keep him from roasting. David thought he was dreaming when a soft voice tried to break through to his conscious. David subconsciously tried to wrap his blanket tighter around him. David mumbled "go away dad I'm sleeping" but woke up instantly when he felt his shoulders being shaken and the insistent soft voice saying "I am not your dad"

David sat upright while at the same time trying to shake the cobwebs from his brain. He succeeded in time to hear the voice say "My name is Jake and I woke you up so we wouldn't be eating you for dinner with drawn butter or cocktail sauce"

David groggily looked up to see a teenage boy roughly the same age as him looking down at him out of his emerald green eyes.  "Thanks, man, my name is David, I Must have fallen asleep from the drive up. I really appreciate you waking me up Lobster Red is not my favourite colour. Thanks again for waking me up" David responded finally awake.

******

David headed towards his first day of school as a senior unsure of what to expect. David had not contacted any of his old friends or baseball teammates since he had been back from his ill-fated vacation. He was still in a funk and hoped that the daily grind of High School would obscure the pain and despair he was feeling. He still missed his mother terribly but the biggest hole was left by his supposed friend Jake! 'If he never saw that creep again it would be too soon! How could he have betrayed me like he did? I thought we were going to be best friends forever. I had so much fun with him for those three days until he just left and never came back. For such a great swimmer he was such dufus on skis but by their third day together Jake was footin it with the best of them.' David was totally confused by the feelings that were coursing through his body when he looked up into Jake's Emerald pools that were his eyes. Those eyes reminded him of his mother but that was not all, when he was with Jake he felt complete and at peace with himself and the world. This was something that had not happened since that fateful day his mother had died from the unseen embolism. David couldn't understand the depths of his feelings for Jake especially the rage he felt. Jake was just a guy he knew for three days, so why did his leaving him still hurt and hurt so much. David's dad couldn't help; he tried but David had withdrawn so deep back into himself that his dad couldn't reach him.

'He still loves me so much and tries so hard to help me I wish I could let him but something keeps stopping me. Part of it is, if I can't understand these feelings I have towards Jake, another guy how can dad help me? Still he tries, he always telling me he loves me, gives me hugs and sometimes while we are watching a movie at home and it starts to get to me, he just pulls me close and "whispers it okay, I am right here" when I wake up in the morning he hasn't moved other than to pull the afghan over us.' David's daydream was suddenly shattered by a slap on his back and a scream in his ear.

"Hey you big loser where have you been?" asked his catcher friend Scott as he grabbed David in a bear hug.

"Put me down you great big ox, I'll tell you all about it at lunch I missed orientation and I am late for my meeting with my counselor," David told his old best friend and smacked him on top of the head to get Scott's attention. Catcher's being a little slow on the uptake sometimes.

"If you don't tell me everything I'll have to pound it out of ya" Scott replied as he set David down on his feet and turned him loose.

David sprinted towards the admin building as he really was late for his orientation meeting with his counselor. As David neared the steps to the Admin Building he thought he heard a strange voice call out his name but he couldn't see anyone calling for him. As David neared the top of the steps he felt someone touch his shoulder and softly call his name. As he didn't recognize the voice he quickly brushed the hand away and turned to see who had accosted him. He quickly turned to the right and saw Jake standing there something he never ever expected to see. All of the hurt feelings and the other strange emotions he had been feeling came boiling out of his mouth without a pause for thought. "What are you doing here, Why didn't you say goodbye? Some friend you are you just walk away and never call!" David's voice had been continually rising until he was now shouting at the top of his lungs, he could probably be heard at Hillsdale Mall almost a mile away. "Get out of my face, stay away from me, in fact, get out of my LIFE I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!!!" David turned away and started to walk into the Admin Building. He never saw Jake run away with tears running down his face, a look of complete and utter shock and dismay upon his face.

Just as David reached for the door a strong hand gripped his shoulder and spun him around. "Don't bother going in there, you are suspended for a week! I want you off of this campus in fifteen minutes or I will call the SMPD and have you arrested for trespassing" These words came pouring out of the mouth of David's Baseball Coach who unbeknownst to David had just come out of the Admin Building looking for him. Coach Anderson continued his tirade "When you come back after the Dean and Principal and your Counselor get done with you, I want to see you in my office immediately! Don't even consider not showing up if you ever want to play High School or College Baseball! Do I make myself clear?" Yes, Coach!" David replied still in total shock over seeing Jake again and now getting suspended by his coach. Coach Anderson continued as if David hadn't responded "In all my time as a coach I never thought I would have to suspend a student who happens to be a player of mine for an ethics violation. Your verbal abuse upon that student borders on assault! You are lucky you aren't being arrested, because then your playing days would be over! If you were arrested you could kiss any scholarship's good by and the only Pro Team to hire you would be the Yankees! Before you come back I want you to read and reread the Student Handbook as well as The Athletic Team handbook until you understand exactly how serious of trouble you are in. I will also expect a 2000 word essay on exactly what rules you broke and why they are important. If you don't complete the essay don't bother coming back! Do you understand ME? David replied "Yes Sir" his shoulders drooping as the understanding slowly sunk in, suspended from school on the first day back, before his first class. His dad was going to explode. "Get out of my sight before I say something I will regret, you had better give a lot of thought to your actions today David! Coach Anderson replied in a slightly lower volume voice.  David picked up his backpack which he hadn't even known he had dropped and turned and walked wearily down the steps and home never even seeing his totally shocked classmates and teammates staring after him with their jaws wide open! Michael the goody-two-shoes suspended, oh my! The gossip and rumour mills would be working overtime today.

Once he got home David undressed and went straight to bed. He couldn't sleep as he lay there tossing and turning as he tried to figure out what happened. He couldn't figure out why he yelled at Jake like he did and why he said such hateful things. Eventually, David's inner turmoil finally wore him down and he fell asleep only to be rudely awakened by his dad shaking his shoulder "Get up get dressed and meet me in the Family Room and make it snappy! You better have a good reason for getting suspended from school on your first day back" David's dad barked out the orders in a tightly controlled voice and then turned quickly and left the room before David could respond. By his dad's tone of voice David knew he had to move quickly.

David entered the Family Room and saw his dad sitting in his favourite chair with a very stern look on his face. David quickly sat down on the couch facing his dad who immediately started talking.

"David I am extremely disappointed in you, I could not believe my ears when I got the phone call... Stop not a word until I am finished! I can not believe you would treat anyone like that especially someone who was your friend! .. Stop I said not a word!" The words coming out of Michael's mouth were extremely cold and loaded with repressed emotion. Michael was using every bit of his self-control not to verbally or physically lash out at his son. Deep down he could understand partially why David did what he did but not completely. 'This is not like him, there must be more to the story that I know I will have to get to the bottom of this before he goes back to school' "Is the story true did you verbally abuse Jake and tell him to get out of your life and stay out? Answer me, David"

"Yes, I did but.." And before David could reply further his dad cut him off.

"Enough I just wanted to hear if it was true. You are grounded for the next month. No cell phone except for on your way to school and back and only for emergencies, no driving unless it is household related and no Internet except for school work! Now I want you to go back to your room and think about what you did and why you did it and I want the whole story this time. You will stay in your room until you are ready to tell me why you verbally abused another human being. I don't want to hear another word out of you other than "yes sir" until then, is that clear? David's father asked his son.

"Yes Sir" David meekly replied knowing better than to say anything else. He had never seen his father so angry at him in all of his life. But what bothered David the most was the look of disappointment in his father's eyes, that hurt deeply.

As David was heading back to his room his dad called to him "I will call you when Dinner is ready you are grounded but not imprisoned." David shook his head okay not trusting his voice to speak as he was very near tears and didn't want his dad to see him crying.

Shortly after dinner which was a very strange affair with neither father or soon speaking to each other, David was lying on his bed trying to figure out for the thousandth time what in the hell was going on with his life. He heard the phone ring and started to pick it up when he remembered he was grounded. The phone stopped ringing he heard his dad speaking to whoever was on the other end in quiet concerned tones. Suddenly he heard his dad's voice rise and become very intense "He did what? I understand yes we will be right over. Yes I know where that is, you are actually very close to us. Okay thanks for calling Dr. we will be right there"

David's dad hung up the phone then knocked on his son's door and waited for David's "come in" before entering. "Get your shoes on we are leaving that was Dr. Patton, Jake's father we are going to their house. When we get there you are going to listen to Dr. Patton then you are going to Jake's room and you are going to apologize to him and it better be good. Jake almost had a nervous breakdown because of today. He was trying to explain to you what happened, when you cut him off at the knees. Jake has been seeing a psychiatrist and a psychologist since you last saw him. His leaving you for some reason hurt him more than it hurt you. Now keep your mouth shut and let's go, we will talk when we get home."

David knew better than to say anything else answered "yes Sir" as he was putting his shoes on. 'What in the hell is going on, dad is more concerned about Jake than he is me, either something is seriously wrong with Jake or I royally screwed up this time' while these thoughts were going through David's confused brain he had put on his Nike's and was following his dad out the door.

After a silent and luckily very quick drive Father and Son arrived at the Patton's. Dr. Patton answered the door and introduced himself as Dr. Bill Patton and said call him Bill. Michael introduced David and himself. Bill invited them into his study office. As soon as they were seated in the study Bill began speaking "First of all thank you both for coming over here on such short notice. This will be very important for Jake and possibly you David as you will see. Before I continue, Jake is upstairs in his room at the back of the house and can't hear us; additionally, he doesn't know you are here." At the questioning looks from Michael and David, Bill continued "I assure everything will become very clear. This is a long and quite complex story but I will make it as short and clear as I can. David, I can't explain everything to you that will be up to Jake, however, I will explain everything to your father while you are up talking to Jake. First off my son has barely spoken to me since we moved here less than two weeks ago, yes moved here" in answer to the question both David and Michael's eyes were asking. "The reason Jake had to leave so suddenly is that I got a new job and had to start in three days, we had to sell our house in Walnut Creek, find a house here in San Mateo and get moved in three days or as close as possible to that time. Now as to why so quickly, David do you remember the new Zero Tolerance Program the school district announced last May and how they were also starting a tolerance training program? At David's confused affirmative nod Bill continued "Well the person who was going to start the trial program at Indian Springs High was killed in a car accident the day before Jake and I left you. Since I was the creator of the training program and there was no one else available to take over the program in such a short period of time the State decreed that I would take the job. When I came and got Jake and then told him why we had to leave he broke down in tears and threatened to run away. We had to leave that afternoon as I had to meet with a realtor and a moving company that evening. This was Monday Afternoon and I had to be in my new office at Indian Springs High School bright and early Thursday morning to meet my staff and start their training. Jake kept telling me that he had to see you and tell you goodbye David. But as I thought you had already traded phone numbers and email addresses I told him he could call you from home. I couldn't get anything else out of him until we got home. As soon as we got home I told Jake he could call your house and leave a message explaining why he had to leave. Bill had to pause a minute to get his emotions under control. David was still confused but was starting to understand a little more of what had happened.

'Oh My God! What have I done? We never exchanged phone numbers or email addresses it was always the next thing and we just never got around to it' as soon as David figured this out he dropped his head into his hand and started silently crying.

Michael started to get up and help his son but Bill motioned to him not to while whispering "it is okay I'll explain why in just a minute"

"The first words out of Jake's mouth as he ran into the house was "I hate you, I hate you leave me alone! I don't have his number we never exchanged them! Why do you think I kept insisting I had to see him. Now I will never see him again!....... I hate you! He then slammed the door and it was days before he would speak to me and then it was only what was necessary."

'As soon as Michael heard the pause in Bill's speech he knew there was more to Jake's outburst and after seeing David's reaction he had an inkling what Bill left out' "So are you two speaking now?" Michael inquired "and how can we help?"

Bill answered "I will get to that in a moment"

Michael nodded "Okay"

"David, do you see now that Jake isn't to blame for what happened and that if anyone is to blame it is me?" Bill asked David.

With his head still buried in his hands David replied in a muffled voice "Yes I do" David then sat up taking his head out of his hands and continued 'Dr. Patton, I am really sorry for all the terrible and hateful things I said to your son today. Do you think he would listen to me if I went up and apologized?"

"Yes I do because Jake blames me for everything you said as well as blaming himself for not getting your number" replied Bill

For the first time that evening David's face had a slight smile on it.

"His room is up the stairs, the last room on the right." Bill directed David, who couldn't wait to go see if his new best friend would speak with him after everything that had happened.

After David was safely up the stairs Michael turned towards Bill and asked "There is more to this story than you told us isn't there?

"Yes there is and I can tell you a little more now and more after the boys have talked. Jake's mom died when he was about six and he has never completely recovered. He has always been extremely sensitive and shy. Because of that he was picked on and bullied at several of his schools. It was because of an incident with him and another child two years ago that my program and the Zero Tolerance Program were developed. As to your unasked question that will have to wait until the boys come down" Bill replied.

David started asking more questions about Bill's program and Bill's schooling and answering Bill's questions about what he did for a living. Before they realized it the clock struck eleven and they realized the boys had yet to come downstairs. They both looked at each other and then turned and walked up the stairs together.

Meanwhile in Jake's room:

David knocked on the door and responded to Jake's question "What is it? "Jake it's me, David, can I come in I want to apologize" when he heard Jake's hesitant answer he opened the door and went in. Before he was completely inside the room his mouth opened and the words started pouring out "Iamsosorry yourdad toldus what really happenedIhave been such an idiot" The words came out of David's mouth so fast they ran together and Jake could barely understand him. Jake finally figured out "Sorry" and, "Dad Told" and "idiot" and finally figured out what David was trying to say.

Jake then jumped up and ran over and embraced David in a Bear Hug while saying "I forgive you" over and over. Jake then led the, by now blubbering, David over to his bed where he pulled him down onto it.

"I am sorry, I am sorry" continued to pour out of David's mouth. Jake turned the two of them so they were facing each other sitting on the edge of his bed. He then put his arms around David and pulled him onto his chest while whispering "it is okay it wasn't your fault" several times until David finally believed him.

David finally heard what Jake was saying and lifted his head up and found himself looking directly into Jakes emerald green eyes. David had to stop himself from falling into those deep pools that were Jake's eyes.

Once they stopped forgiving each other they started talking about everything and nothing like a lot of teenagers. Before they knew it the emotional stress caught up with them and they both fell onto Jake's bed sound asleep never letting each other go. This was the scene that greeted their fathers when they opened the door after getting no response to their knocks.

Quietly going back downstairs Michael turned to Bill and said: "Jake is gay isn't he?"

Hearing no animosity only parental concern Bill quickly answered: "since he was eleven and David?"

Michael paused and then replied "Not until an hour ago, I wondered after the trip. He seemed to be taking Jake's leaving too seriously. I was hoping he wasn't for his sake. But as long as he is happy I don't care"

Chuckling Bill replied "They do look happy"

With a devious grin, Michael turned to Bill "Do you have a Digital Printer?"

"Yes Why?" asked a bemused Bill

"This is why and he pulled a pocket-size digital camera out of his shirt pocket. I think we should have some fun with them for what they have put us through" replied a still grinning Michael.

"Ok, exactly what do you have in mind? Asked Bill.

Several minutes later the inside of Jake's bedroom door sported a shiny 8x10 glossy print of the two boys sleeping arm in arm. Across the top of the print in bright red was the word "Busted" and across the bottom were the words "Talk to you two in the morning we love ya, Bill and Michael."

To Be Continued

Author's Notes:

I want to say thank you very much to my editor who took over at the eleventh hour and did a great job making this story what it is now. Thanks, RadioRancher I couldn't have done this without you. This is something a little different than what I usually write so I hope you like it.

TSL

Editor's Notes:

You are very welcome. This story had a message that needed to be presented and I was happy to be able to step in and help put it together. I for one hope that the story can continue and be another great ongoing saga, bringing you a rich and entertaining entree' for your mind. Once again The Story Lover has created a rich and interesting cast of characters and situations that will hold your interest and let you know these people. Let him know how much you enjoyed this story and be sure to tell him you want to know more. Make sure you let him know that it isn’t just his editor's strange taste in stories, that this is intriguing, and you definitely want more.
Thank you, Story Lover, for this great story. Keep up the good work.

Comments always accepted - The Story Lover